Full-scale Universal Freight Shuttle prototype planned
December 9, 2008
PORTLAND - The Freight Shuttle Development Corp. plans to build a full-scale prototype of the cargo movement system on the site of the Port of Corpus Christi’s future La Quinta Gateway container terminal.
Port Authority commissioners today approved a lease option agreement with the company to use 100 acres of the 1,100-acre La Quinta site which is 
adjacent to the City of Portland on the north side of Corpus Christi Bay.
The freight shuttle concept has been under development since 1999 by researchers at the Texas Transportation Institute, part of the Texas A&M University System.
The Universal Freight Shuttle (UFS) is a futuristic-looking system consisting of electrically powered vehicles propelled by linear induction motors that travel on a specialized, derailment-proof guideway similar to the people movers that operate at some major airports. The shuttle cars will be large enough to move a standard ocean shipping container or a highway freight trailer. The system is expected to provide major savings in operational costs for delivering goods.
The $15 million to $20 million prototype will allow fabrication and testing of the full range of system components including guiderails, shuttle mechanics, power systems and automated controllers.
The Port Commission also approved a one-year memorandum of understanding with Zachry American Infrastructure (ZAI) to provide ZAI and the Port staff time to negotiate a contract under which the company would build the container terminal. For several years the Port of Corpus Christi has been seeking a partner to finance, design and build the La Quinta terminal on port land. It will be served by an extension of the La Quinta Ship Channel which follows the San Patricio County shoreline and serves such industries as Sherwin Alumina, OxyChem, DuPont, Kiewet Offshore and Helix. Gulf Marine Fabricators and Naval Station Ingleside are nearby on the main Corpus Christi Ship Channel.
Zachry American is a subsidiary of Zachry Consolidated, Inc., a San Antonio-based company dealing in construction, construction materials, engineering and development.